Immigration continues to be a hot- button topic for American political debate. Core to this issue has been the influx of workers from Latin America. Every industry with a physical labor element has been impacted by Spanish-speaking laborers joining the workforce. For the equine industry, that is most obvious among grooms. From high-priced Thoroughbred farms in Kentucky to boarding barns in California, the grooms at barns more often than not will originate from a Latin American country.

Regardless how you feel about the subject, immigrant laborers are here to stay. Both legal and illegal 

immigrants in these circumstances provide cheap labor that each industry is unwilling to relinquish.

These workers can become an advantage for your hoof-care practice. Being able to communicate with the workers will increase your efficiency and save you money. For example, a trusted groom can keep an eye on a horse you’re concerned about. Or that groom can administer thrush treatment, saving you a trip to the barn.

Learning a foreign language is not an easy. However, knowing a few key sentences can improve your ability to communicate with Spanish-speaking grooms. Developing these relationships will provide you with eyes, ears and hands for you when you’re away from your clients’ barns.  

English to Spanish

Building relationships with Spanish-speaking grooms can pay off through additional help, such as someone who can hold the horse while you work with it.